Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal Sent To ED Custody Till March 28 In Delhi Liquor Policy Scam Case

New Delhi: The PMLA court on Friday sent Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to the Enforcement Directorate's custody till March 28 in the excise policy-linked money laundering case. A day after his arrest CM Kejriwal was sent to 6 days of custody and   Special Judge Kaveri Baweja at the Rouse Avenue court said Kejriwal will be produced before the court on March 28 at 2 pm.

The court order comes after the Enforcement Directorate sought a 10-day custody in the case.

The ED has told the court that Kejriwal is the key conspirator of the Delhi liquor policy scam case and was a "major beneficiary" of the proceeds of crimes. Meanwhile, Delhi CM's lawyer told the court that no incriminating material was found showing Kejriwal's involvement in crime despite over 200 raids in excise policy cases.

Highlights On Delhi Chief Minister's Arrest:

8.45 pm: Delhi Minister Slams BJP- After the Court decided to place Kejriwal in ED's custody, Atishi addressed a press conference where she criticized the BJP. She stated that the BJP wants to win the elections by utilizing the ED to incarcerate opposition leaders under the PMLA, making it nearly impossible for them to obtain bail.

8.30 pm: Rouse Avenue court sent Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal on 7 days remand till March 28.

7.45 pm: The Enforcement Directorate told the court that Arvind Kejriwal "took advantage" of being Delhi CM to facilitate money laundering by AAP, a "major beneficiary" of proceeds of crimes. ED also stated that Kejriwal wilfully disobeyed 9 summonses and didn't reveal the truth or give correct facts when his statement was recorded under PMLA.

7. 39pm: The Enforcement Directorate told the court that Arvind Kejriwal is the kingpin and key conspirator of the Delhi liquor scam in collusion with his ministers, AAP leaders.

6.00 pm: Delhi CM's Wife Tweets: Sunita Kejriwal took on X and dubbed Arvind Kejriwal's arrest as a betrayal to the people of Delhi. She also slammed Centre and stated that Kejriwal's arrest is result of government's arrogance.  

आपके 3 बार चुने हुए मुख्यमंत्री को मोदीजी ने सत्ता के अहंकार में गिरफ़्तार करवाया।सबको crush करने में लगे हैं। यह दिल्ली के लोगो के साथ धोखा है।आपके मुख्यमंत्री हमेशा आपके साथ खड़े रहें हैं।अंदर रहें या बाहर, उनका जीवन देश को समर्पित है।जनता जनार्दन है सब जानती है।जय हिन्द — Sunita Kejriwal (@KejriwalSunita) March 22, 2024

03:10 pm: The ED accused Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal of being a central figure in the liquor scam case. The ED is seeking a 10-day custody of Kejriwal from a local court, alleging his involvement along with other ministers and AAP leaders.

The ED informed Special Judge Kaveri Baweja at the Rouse Avenue court that Kejriwal had received substantial sums as kickbacks from the ‘South group’. These funds were allegedly for the creation and execution of the Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22.

Additional Solicitor General (ASG) SV Raju, representing the agency, told the court that Kejriwal had demanded Rs 100 crore from some individuals from the ‘South group’ to fund the Punjab elections.

The ASG further stated that the money trail revealed that Rs 45 crore, termed as a “kickback” and used in the Goa elections, originated from four hawala routes.

He added that the testimonies of the accused and witnesses have been validated by Call Detail Records (CDR).

3:05 pm: AAP not an individual but a company, so every person responsible for conduct of company will be held responsible: ED tells court

3:00 pm: Arvind Kejriwal demanded Rs 100 crore from some accused from 'South group' for Punjab elections, ED tells court while seeking his custody.

2:50 pm: ASG S V Raju, while representing the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's remand hearing made these arguments. "The predicate offence in this matter is already being proven. The court has taken cognizance of the charge sheet. Kejriwal is the mastermind and leader of this entire excise scam. The Delhi CM was involved in taking bribes in lieu of the alcohol policy. He was directly involved in the creation of the excise policy. Vijay Nair was working for him. Vijay Nair’s role was that of a mediator. He was playing the role of a mediator between AAP and the South lobby. Vijay Nair was living in a house near Kejriwal’s house. That house was allotted to Kailash Gahlot. Nair has been the media in-charge of AAP. ASG referred to the meeting between Manguta Reddy and Kejriwal."

2:40 pm: Delhi CM is the 'kignpin' of alleged Delhi liquor policy case scam, ED claims in Rouse Avenue Court.

2:35 pm: ED requested his detention for 10 days in connection with a money laundering case linked to the excise policy. The ED informed the court that they have submitted an application for a 10-day remand after Kejriwal was brought before Special Judge Kaveri Baweja around 2 pm. The court premises were heavily guarded during this time.

ASG S V Raju is representing the agency, while Kejriwal is being represented by Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi.

Kejriwal was brought to the trial court shortly after he withdrew his plea against his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in the Supreme Court in relation to the money laundering case tied to the excise policy.

Kejriwal's lawyer stated that he would challenge the remand proceedings in the trial court and then return to the Supreme Court with a new petition.

02:20 pm: Hearing begins in Kejriwal's case, ED asks for 10 days remand

01.53 pm: A group from ED has escorted Arvind Kejriwal to commence court proceedings. He has been presented before the Rouse Avenue Court. 

VIDEO | Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal being taken from ED office to Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi, where he will be produced in connection with the excise policy-linked money laundering case. pic.twitter.com/hAPte3fF9T

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 22, 2024

 

01.44 pm: "The party (AAP) whose origins can be traced back to the 'India Against Corruption' movement, and the one who propagated an image of standing against corruption (Arvind Kejriwal), has now been detained on corruption charges," states Daljit Singh Cheema, a leader of the Shiromani Akali Dal to PTI. "With this detention, the true nature of the Aam Aadmi Party has been revealed,” he added. 

01.37 pm: Punjab's Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann reached Arvind Kejriwal's residence in Delhi to meet AAP leader’s family. He is set to conduct a press conference later today. 

#WATCH | Punjab CM & AAP leader Bhagwant Mann arrives at the residence of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal pic.twitter.com/P4F9Dc5qTx — ANI (@ANI) March 22, 2024

12.33 pm: On ED arresting Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, Social activist Anna Hazare told ANI, "I am very upset that Arvind Kejriwal, who used to work with me, raise his voice against liquor, is now making liquor policies. His arrest is because of his own deeds..."

#WATCH | Ahmednagar, Maharashtra: On ED arresting Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, Social activist Anna Hazare says, "I am very upset that Arvind Kejriwal, who used to work with me, raise his voice against liquor, is now making liquor policies. His arrest is because of his own deeds..." pic.twitter.com/aqeJEeecfM — ANI (@ANI) March 22, 2024

12.31 pm: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal pulls back his plea against arrest by the Enforcement Directorate from the Supreme Court. Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Arvind Kejriwal, informs the Supreme Court that Kejriwal is withdrawing the petition due to its clash with the remand.

12.06 pm: DMK leaders and supporters rally in Chennai to oppose the Enforcement Directorate's detention of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal. Dayanidhi Maran, a DMK leader, denounces Kejriwal's arrest during the party's demonstration backing him. 

12.03 pm: According to Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva, Kejriwal was aware of the corruption involved in formulating and executing the excise policy, as evidenced by the imprisonment of his former Deputy Manish Sisodia and party MP Sanjay Singh. Sachdeva added, "He himself skipped nine Enforcement Directorate summonses. He will now have to answer the ED because he was involved in corruption that is why he has been arrested." 

Sachdeva likened AAP's protest against Kejriwal's arrest to the proverb "Chor Machaye Shor" (the culprit makes a lot of noise to cover up the crime), labeling it as "shameless." 

11.40 am: "We will state before the Supreme Court that Arvind Kejriwal should be allowed to meet his lawyer and family and also allowed to carry out his official work. Kejriwal's family has been put under house arrest," AAP Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj says after his detention.

#WATCH | AAP Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj detained by police at ITO in Delhi, during the party protest against arrest of CM Arvind Kejriwal

"...We will state before the Supreme Court that Arvind Kejriwal should be allowed to meet his lawyer and family and also allowed to… pic.twitter.com/spScHX44Qi — ANI (@ANI) March 22, 2024

11.20 am: Several AAP workers, including minister Saurabh Bharadwaj, Atishi Marlena 
detained during their protest at ITO against Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's arrest.